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MAGAZINE CREATION COURSE (FREE PDF)

Joe — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 15:31:17 +0000

MAGAZINE CREATION COURSE (FREE)

Click the link below to download my 'dual purpose' Magazine Creation Course. It is a step-by-step procedure for creating and launching your own magazine as well as the procedures for you to teach others how to create magazines.

Good luck with your mags.

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Ink, Paper, Blood: Making a Horror Magazine in the Age of A.I.

Joe — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 08:38:47 +0000

Ink, Paper, Blood: Making a Horror Magazine in the Age of A.I.

I believe that a truly human, hands-on magazine matters more nowadays as we’re living in a time when readers no longer know what to trust.

We’re on social media, a sentence appears on a screen, we have no idea who wrote it, but we do know that there’s a possibility it might not be an actual human we’re reading. An image circulates online, it might be real, it might not.

That uncertainty has changed the cultural weather. As artificial intelligence becomes more visible in writing, design, publishing, advertising, and everyday communication, public trust has not kept pace with the speed of adoption. Recent reporting and research have repeatedly shown a widening gap between enthusiasm inside the technology world and anxiety among the people living with its consequences: nervousness about transparency, authorship, jobs, manipulation, and the quiet erosion of human intelligence. The issue is not merely that A.I. can imitate us accurately enough not to be questioned, it is that these imitations ask us to keep lowering our standards for proof of life.

For a horror magazine, this is not a side note. It is the atmosphere we are breathing.

Horror has always understood the dread of the almost-human, the ‘bodysnatcher’ wearing a neighbour’s face. Long before algorithms learned to generate fluent prose and plausible images, horror was already asking what happens when recognition becomes unreliable and the thing in front of you can perform plausible humanity without possessing it.

That is why creating a horror magazine now, and creating it by hand, feels less like nostalgia than resistance. A printed magazine made by human editors, writers, artists, photographers, designers, proofreaders, printers, and collaborators carries a different kind of meaning. It is not just content arranged on pages. It is evidence of human attention as it has both our literal and figurative fingerprints on it. A human-created magazine is the result of our arguments, instincts, revisions, stubborn preferences, strange obsessions, and the productive friction that comes from people pushing an idea into shape together.

A hands-on horror magazine can make a promise that an A.I. feed cannot: someone chose this, they read it closely and cared enough to leave the occasional rough edge in place because the rough edges were alive. The layout does not need to feel machine-perfect, we’re not looking at producing something of a top-tier design because they are often cold and impersonal, which isn’t us. I remember when I was a kid I used to read magazine, and they were always a little rough around the edges, but that was fine because they were always cool as fuck. The illustrations were not polished into anonymity, the paper stock wasn’t ultra thick and glossy, the ink sometimes smudged, but I still couldn’t wait to go to the shops and see what was on the shelves because it was my little piece of the world, and back then it ran at a slower pace, we had to wait for just about everything as there was nothing much of anything we were able to binge. Now, in a culture of incessant content generation everything has become slick and rapid, not to mention sterile.

A printed horror genre magazine benefits from physicality. You hold it, the act of reading becomes intimate and deliberate, that tactile quality answers a deeper need: accountability. When creative work is openly human-made, the reader knows there is a point of view behind it. A person can be questioned regarding content, an editor can explain a choice, an artist can stand by an image and a publisher can declare a standard. This does not make the work pure or perfect, but it makes it answerable because human authorship is a structure of trust.

A digital magazine benefits from immediacy and portability, it can be instantly downloaded and carried on a cell phone. Of course, the point is not to pretend technology does not exist. A contemporary magazine will inevitably use digital tools somewhere along the way: for communication, file preparation, research, production, distribution, or promotion. The distinction is not between purity and corruption. It is between tools that serve human intention and tools that replace it. The magazine’s identity rests on that line. It is designed by eye and instinct, not by statistical guesswork.

This is especially powerful for horror because horror depends on voice. The genre is not frightening because it contains monsters; it is frightening because someone has found the exact angle from which a monster becomes believable. That angle is personal. It comes from the private catalogue of images that disturb a particular mind. A good horror magazine should feel full of those minds.

To make such a magazine is to take a position. It says that readers deserve to know when they are encountering human imagination. It says that imperfection can be a sign of presence rather than failure. It says that craft still matters, not as decoration, but as proof that time spent is everything. The result can be more than a publication, it becomes somewhere readers are invited to trust the source of the scare, because perhaps the most unsettling thing about this age is not that machines can mimic us. It is that we may begin to forget why the difference matters. A human-made horror magazine insists that the difference still matters because horror, at its best, is not generated, it is felt, shaped, and offered by one human nervous system to another.

Something not touched upon here yet is the fact that although the modern generations appear to be reading far fewer books, they are taking to magazine reading as a go-to for entertainment as it appeals to their shorter attention spans and desire for quick-fixes. Print magazines are re-emerging as a meaningful entertainment format for younger audiences as Gen Z and Millennials look for more curated, tactile, and collectible media experiences, so a new wave of independent magazines and niche publications is gaining momentum. At the same time, major media companies are borrowing magazine-inspired formats to extend the worlds of streaming shows, fandoms, and cultural moments beyond the screen. It’s a reminder that even in a digital-first media landscape, audiences still value formats that feel intentional, immersive, and worth keeping.

It’s my opinion that going forward the creation of more horror magazines would be excellent for the horror writing community. The more there are, the wider the choice as it would enable niche sub-genres to show what they’ve got that makes them special, and it would give beginning writers a potential foot into the marketplace as well as giving established authors the potential for growth in reaching a newer demographic. Going digital first would create a test-market, as it is simpler to create downloads than it is to create the infrastructure for printed magazines. Electronic versions can of course make way for print copies at a later date should the magazine prove to be popular enough to warrant doing so.

If you want to know more about creating a downloadable magazine I’m putting the finishing touches to a free course on that subject which will be available very soon.

PODCASTS: AN OVERVIEW

Joe — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 06:00:16 +0000

PODCASTS: AN OVERVIEW

What follows is a basic overview of podcasting platforms relevant to us as horror authors. These options support either hosting your own podcast (e.g., author interviews, writing advice, horror fiction readings, or genre discussions) or appearing as a guest on existing shows (e.g., promoting books, sharing craft insights, or reading excerpts). I'll provide examples here but will also create expanded lists in dedicated posts on the site, so bear in mind that the ones included here are not exhaustive, nor are they included as the best examples.

Podcast Hosting Platforms for Launching and Distributing Your Own Show:

These services store your audio files, generate an RSS feed, and automatically distribute episodes to major listening apps like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and others. Most offer analytics, monetization tools (ads, subscriptions, donations), and basic editing features. Many are beginner-friendly with free tiers or trials.

Spotify for Creators (formerly Anchor): Free hosting with unlimited uploads, built-in recording/editing tools, video podcast support, and easy monetization via ads or subscriptions. Great for beginners and wide distribution.

RSS.com: Affordable with IAB-certified analytics, programmatic ads, unlimited storage on paid plans, and strong distribution. Includes a free tier for niche/community shows.

Buzzsprout: Beginner-friendly with a 90-day free starter plan, AI tools for transcripts/show notes, and reliable analytics. Paid plans start low (Around $19/month).

Podbean: Free limited tier or paid plans with unlimited storage, built-in website, advertising marketplace, and live streaming. Good for monetization.

Libsyn: Long-established with strong distribution, dynamic ad insertion, video support, and analytics. Popular for professional creators.

Captivate: Unlimited podcasts/storage on all plans, strong monetization (low fees), and growth tools. Focuses on audience building.

Transistor: Clean interface for multiple shows, private podcasts, and team collaboration. Excellent analytics and no per-download fees on higher plans.

Simplecast: Professional tools, custom websites, and robust analytics. Suited for teams or branded shows.

Blubrry: Integrates well with WordPress (via PowerPress plugin) and offers solid analytics.

Acast: Strong monetization marketplace, dynamic ads, and global distribution. Good for growing shows.

RedCircle: Free core plan with ad monetization thresholds and easy tools.

Castos: Private/subscriber-focused podcasts, website integration, and membership features.

Beehiiv: Newer podcast tools with hosting, migration from other platforms, automatic distribution (to Apple, Spotify, etc.), and normalization features. Strong for newsletter creators.

Other notable options: Alitu (all-in-one production), Spreaker, Podcast.co, Hubhopper, Ausha, Megaphone (enterprise-level), CoHost, Fireside, and ART19.

Choose a platform with good analytics and easy clip creation (for social promo of scary excerpts). Most auto-distribute to Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Start with a free/low-cost option like Spotify for Creators or Buzzsprout if you're testing the waters. Apple Podcasts also maintains a partner directory of approved hosts/distributors.

Major Listening/Distribution Directories (Where Your Podcast Appears)

Once hosted, submit your RSS feed here for maximum reach. Horror content often performs well in genre-specific playlists or searches.

Apple Podcasts (primary directory with strong curation)

Spotify (huge audience, video support, personalized recommendations)

Amazon Music / Audible

YouTube Music / YouTube (for video podcasts)

Google Podcasts (via YouTube integration in some regions)

iHeart Radio, TuneIn, Pandora, Overcast, Castro, Pocket Casts, Castbox

Podcast Index (decentralized, supports Podcasting 2.0 features)

Others: Listen Notes (searchable database), Stitcher (now part of SiriusXM)

Horror shows often get featured in seasonal or genre playlists on these platforms.

Platforms and Methods for Appearing as a Guest on Someone Else's Podcast

Horror authors frequently guest on shows for interviews about their books, writing process, influences, or horror tropes. Many horror-specific podcasts welcome author guests.

General guesting platforms and directories:

MatchMaker.fm — Connects guests with hosts; filter by genre (including horror/fiction).

PitchPodcasts.com — Lists shows actively seeking guests, with horror categories.

Podchaser or Listen Notes — Searchable databases to find horror/book podcasts and contact hosts.

Social media (X/Twitter, Facebook groups like Horror Writers Association or podcast guest communities) and direct outreach via host websites/emails.

Horror-focused opportunities:

Submit short stories or scripts to anthology-style horror podcasts (they often pay small amounts and credit authors): NoSleep Podcast, Pseudopod, Creepy, The Dark Magazine Podcast, Nightmare Magazine Podcast, Knifepoint Horror, Thirteen Podcast, and others in the Simply Scary or BloodyFM networks.

Guest on interview/discussion shows like Writers of Horror, This Is Horror, Talking Scared, Books in the Freezer, Ladies of the Fright, or Dark Minds (many feature horror authors regularly).

Networks like Bloody Disgusting's BloodyFM or Simply Scary Podcasts Network often include author interviews or collabs alongside fiction.

Tips for guesting: Prepare a strong pitch (e.g., "New horror novel with " or "Tips for writing effective scares"). Check submission guidelines on podcast sites. Horror author podcasts like Writers of Horror are hosted on platforms such as Acast.

Additional Advice for Horror Authors

Genre-specific reach: Horror thrives in audio (atmospheric narration, sound design). Consider fiction-focused shows for story readings or interview shows for book promo. Many horror podcasts accept submissions year-round or seasonally.

Monetization: Most hosting platforms support ads, Patreon integration, or Apple/Spotify subscriptions once you hit listener thresholds.

Discovery: Promote via horror communities (e.g., Reddit's r/horrorlit, r/NoSleep), author newsletters, or cross-promos with other genre creators.

Trends in 2026 and beyond: Video podcasts (Spotify/YouTube), AI-assisted editing, and private/subscriber content are growing. Platforms like Beehiiv blend newsletters with podcasts.

This list covers the main options based on current popularity and features. Although not impossible to exhaustively list all of the options (new ones emerge regularly), it is massively time-consuming especially when taking into consideration that I'm updating hundreds of lists across a slew of subjects. However, the above represents the most widely used and accessible in the currrent marketplace.

Research pricing, storage limits, and distribution reach for your needs, and test a couple with a trial episode. If you're just starting, Spotify for Creators or Buzzsprout are low-barrier entry points.

VIDEOSCOPE

Joe — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 08:56:35 +0000

VIDEOSCOPE

WE BELONG DEAD

Joe — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 08:41:41 +0000

WE BELONG DEAD

THE DARK SIDE

Joe — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 08:38:20 +0000

THE DARK SIDE

RUE MORGUE

Joe — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 08:31:57 +0000

RUE MORGUE

FANGORIA

Joe — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 08:05:12 +0000

FANGORIA

CLASSIC MONSTERS OF THE MOVIES

Joe — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 08:03:53 +0000

Classic Monsters of the Movies

THE KING OF HOLLYWOOD: STEPHEN KING MOVIES AND TV

Joe — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 10:44:37 +0000

THE KING OF HOLLYWOOD: STEPHEN KING MOVIES AND TV

From Page to Screen. An Introduction to the A-Z of Stephen King Adaptations

Few authors have left as indelible a mark on popular culture as Stephen King. Renowned for his prolific imagination and ability to tap into the deepest recesses of human fear, King's stories have captivated readers for decades. Yet, his influence extends far beyond the written word, as his works have been consistently reimagined for both cinema and television, with adaptations ranging from blockbuster films to cult classic series.

From the chilling corridors of 'The Shining' to the small-town horrors of 'It', King's novels and short stories have provided rich material for filmmakers and showrunners alike. These adaptations have brought new life to his tales, introducing them to wider audiences and often becoming iconic in their own right. What makes King's work so appealing for adaptation is not just his mastery of horror, but his deep exploration of character, community, and the supernatural.

In the following list I present an A-Z of every movie and television series adapted from Stephen King's stories (that I know of at least). Whether you are a seasoned fan or new to his universe, this guide will help you navigate the vast landscape of King-inspired screen productions, showcasing the breadth and impact of his storytelling.